Backpacking Light
Latest
Episode 132 | Satellite Messenger Weather Forecasts
In Episode 132 of the Backpacking Light Podcast we talk about satellite messenger weather forecasts.
Episode 131 – Ultralight First Aid Kit Strategies
Learn to design ultralight first aid kits for backcountry travel, matching modular kits (Overnight, Weekend, Expedition) to trip demands. Avoid errors, maintain your kit, and understand the medical rationale for each.
Episode 130 | Bivy Sack Camping
Discover Ryan's discreet bivy sack camping methodology for alpine environments, encompassing essential gear, requisite skills, and a critical analysis of tent practicality. Embrace the experience of open-air slumber.
Episode 129 | Field Notes – The Limits of Wilderness Minimalism
Ryan Jordan examines wilderness minimalism under stress, using physiology, psychology, and Stoic philosophy to analyze five high-risk scenarios.
Episode 128 | The Metabolic Cost of Carrying a Backpack
What does it really cost your body to carry a backpack in the backcountry? In this episode, we explore the science behind the metabolic demands of load carriage - how pack weight, load distribution, terrain, and walking speed impact energy expenditure. (included: interview with pack designer Dan Durston.)
Episode 127 | Field Notes – Shelter Fabrics
In episode 127 of the BPL Podcast, Ryan Jordan explores shelter fabrics: strength-to-weight, waterproofing, coatings, pitch stability, storm resilience, strength-to-weight ratios and waterproofing to coating quality, pitch stability, and storm resilience.
Episode 126 | Field Notes – Ultralight Chairs: Performance or Luxury?
Recovery isn’t passive. It’s a skill - and how you sit at camp might matter more than you think.
Episode 125 | How to Plan a Long Thru-Hike
Learn how to thru-hike successfully with expert advice from Nikki's Appalachian Trail journey. Discover essential strategies for planning, training, gear, nutrition, and mental wellness to make your long-distance hike enjoyable and achievable.
Episode 124 | Fastpacking Pack Design with Black Diamond
An in-depth discussion with Black Diamond’s Joe Grant and Derick Noffsinger on the design evolution of hybrid packs for fastpacking and mountain travel.
Episode 123 | The 5 Fs of Fastpacking
In episode 123 of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to learn about Fastpacking - the art of traveling long distances with very little gear in a short amount of time
Episode 122 | Unconventional Sleep Systems
In episode 122 the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about unconventional sleep systems—alternatives to traditional sleeping bags that emphasize modularity and minimalism.
Episode 121 | How to Plan a Short Thru-Hike
In episode 121 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about how to plan a short thru-hike.
Cottage Gear Innovation Awards
The Cottage Gear Innovation Awards celebrate the small, startup, and cottage products, brands, and people that bring forth new methods or ideas that reflect unique originality, creativity, and advances in materials, design, application, or aesthetic to help hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts thrive outdoors.
Episode 120 | Using Quilts in Cold Temperatures
In episode 120 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to continue our study of how to sleep warm in cold temperatures, focusing on the gear that makes up your sleeping system.
Episode 119.5 (Bonus) | Trail Days Online! 2025 Preview
In this episode, we’ll introduce you to the Trail Days speakers and give you a sneak peek at their presentation topics and expertise. From ultralight pack design to scrambling techniques, backcountry hygiene to desert travel, there’s something for everyone.
Episode 119 | Sleep Warmer: Evening Routines
In episode 119 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about bedtime routines and practices for sleeping warm in the backcountry.
How to Make Coffee in the Backcountry: Gear and Methods
This article provides an overview of coffee-making methods (how to make coffee in the backcountry) while backpacking, with a study of their complexity and weight.
Episode 118 | Traction Spikes
In episode 118 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about traction systems for snow travel.
Avalanche and Winter Safety Tools
A guide to tools used to manage risk in avalanche terrain - transceivers, shovels, probes, safety backpacks, saws.
Episode 117 | Snowshoe Sizing
In episode 117 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how to size snowshoes, minimize sinkage, and save energy for your next winter adventure in deep snow.
New Ultralight GearSee the latest releases in ultralight cottage-brand gear from small makers.
